Al Young was born on this date in 1939. He is an African American writer and educator.

Born in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Young's family lived there until his father was discharged from the Navy. Then the entire family moved to Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from high school, Young attended the University of Michigan where he majored in Spanish. In 1961, Young moved to San Francisco where he pursued a music career and worked as a disc jockey, writing instructor, and held various jobs to make ends meet between musical gigs.

*Ishmael Reed was born on this date 1933. He is an African American writer.

From Chattanooga, Tennessee, when he was still a child, he and his family moved to Buffalo, New York, where Reed eventually attended the University of New York at Buffalo from 1956-1960. Reed is total writer, creating in poems, novels, essays, articles and more.